Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Lucky Hank’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. Also, this article contains discussions regarding self-harm and suicide, which may be triggering to some individuals.
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It is definitely safe to say that the AMC series, Lucky Hank, has offered us a masterclass examination in what the mid-life crisis actually looks like in the everyday world. For now, we know, it isn’t some cliché laden embarrassment filled with goofy purchases and moments and eye-rolling romances. It’s a very intimate affair. One filled to the brim with doubt, worry, and moments of frustration and anger and understandably so. For the mid-life crisis is the epitome of unfinished business in our minds, the kind that people suffering from it aren’t sure they can easily resolve. But what is truly fascinating about this series is that it has so much more to teach us about the mid-life crisis, such as how sometimes it is born out of unfortunate origins.
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For instance, unresolved trauma. For the human mind oft desires resolution and closure, and when we cannot receive that and when we do not deal with such matters… they will bubble up at the appropriate time, which may well be in the midst of that crisis, as evidenced by last night’s episode of the show. For ‘The Clock’ is a story that saw Hank and Lily host the annual English Department Dinner. An evening that should have been a beautiful celebration of all things academic, but instead… this evening turned out to be quite the disaster and a fine place to explore how that unresolved trauma contributes to that mid-life crisis, and it accomplished this particular feat… by way of two key triggering moments for Hank. One of which, involved his staff.

Because the usual attitude that only they bring to the table, was in fact, brought to the dinner table. With an emphasis on chaos coming from Paul. Who we came to learn, wanted Hank’s house for its lakeside view and he was consistently throwing digs Hank’s away about losing out on a bid for the house and of course, the rest of the staff and their usual shenanigans made for a tense evening. One that was further compounded by a surprise for Lily. In that, she got the job in New York. Which left her pondering upon what she should do, and well, once that news reached the party’s ears… Paul pushed harder on perhaps putting in an offer on the house since he assumed Lily would take the offer and she and Hank would move, and of course… then there was discussion regarding who would settle into the chair.​

All of which put Hank on edge and agitated his already frayed nerves and that was further exacerbated by the constant discussions regarding New York and the understanding that Tom tried to make out with his wife. Because that tapped into his fears that more change was coming, and that Lily might leave him. Which in turn exploded into a full-on battle near the end of the night, one that Julie was sucked in via Hank’s machination, and eventually involved tears. For Lily wanted to take the job and that brought Hank to his breaking point. Where he honestly asked her why she didn’t want him, why she didn’t want to be near him. A question that ended the party and brought forth a full-circle moment regarding Hank’s mid-life crisis. Since all of that led to an incredible revelation regarding his life.
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Because this story also revolved around a clock from the moving pod that Hank valued and cherished. In part, because it was tied to some of his calmer memories from his youth and one of the true genesis points of his crisis. For we came to learn that Hank once attempted to end his own life when his father was preparing to leave, all because he never felt loved by his father and felt abandoned by him and was stunned by the change his father brought into his life. Which is why Hank is struggling with change, with the road not taken and with Lily’s desire to explore a fulfilling job. In that, it he can only associate change with suffering and worry, and abandonment and sorrow, and well… if he cannot address that pain and that trauma and find peace within it… he may cycle and find himself trapped within these fears and worries and extend this crisis.

But what mattered more, is that this story did an amazing job of exploring how in fact… trauma can influence a mid-life crisis and even fuel it to a certain extent. Adding a fascinating layer to this crisis, to the point where now we all may ponder upon what drives a crisis such as this and perhaps approach our support to those in need differently, and from a storytelling perspective… this completely changes our perspective of Hank through and through. Simply because… he is now a tragic figure. One haunted by the past and terrified of letting go of his pain and now, we simply must continue the journey to see if and how Hank will release his pain. So, he can find the peace and direction he’s desperate to obtain. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Grand Crew’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Stories that tend to focus on the ups and down of life, rarely offer balance. For the ups are just that, joyous and wondrous and illuminating and the downs… suck. Which is a problematic way to explore life because that’s not really how life works. Because life in and of itself, is a supremely bittersweet experience. One where the highs are sometimes intermixed with lows, thanks to anxiety and worry and concerns that we don’t deserve that high, and there is beauty to be found in the lows. Because without them we learn nothing in life, nor do we appreciate what we have or had and that’s why it is always refreshing to find a story that understands the reality of the ups and downs of life.
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Because that means we are immersed within a tale that truly teaches us about life’s true beauty and wonder and that’s why we continue to celebrate Grand Crew on NBC. For this is a series that does just that. Because it really knows how to look at every angle of every moment, and it accomplished that particular feat once again in ‘Wine & Honors’ through two key storylines. One of which, involved Anthony. Who was being honored by his Alma Mater for his accomplishments in recent years and well, that would definitely be a high, a wondrous moment to be celebrated. But Anthony was terrified. For he compared himself to others at the event and fretted over being perfect when he already was.

After all, he won a freakin’ award. But thankfully, his friends were there to help him see that and embrace his many accomplishments, and since he was worried about delivering the perfect speech as well, they even inspired him to speak from his heart and not about his non-existent bosom. Which helped him to embrace this award and find peace and in turn, this helped to remind us… that anxiety and imposter’s syndrome often surrounds the good moments in our lives. Because we’re taught to never savor and always hustle when we should in fact… just embrace the magic and it was wonderful to see the show present this in an honest light. 

As for the bittersweet low in the story, well that came via Nicky and Fay. Because Fay was trying hard to have a successful yard sale, to uh… to clean our junk. Which prompted Nicky to help her and thanks to Nicky’s ability to confidently sell with a dash of white lies, Fay made some amazing money. But alas, they did too good a job with the sale and something of critical importance for Fay was sold in the madness of making great money, specifically… a rare bottle of wine. One that Fay cherished and was hoping to open for a forthcoming special and very important occasion, and that prompted Nicky to help her try and get it back. With mixed results.
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Since the original buyer handed it off to his brother, a dive bar owner, and to get it from him… Nicky had to try and outdrink that owner, and his disgusting liquor, all because she wanted her friend to be whole and well… it took the truth as to why Fay was having a garage sale to get that bottle back and bring forth some sadness. Since she revealed, she was moving to New York City to run a new wine bar for Amir and that was why she needed the money and that wine. To pay for the move and to cherish her friendship with Nicky one more time, with a toast. A journey that reminded us that while there is sadness to be found in life, especially when someone we love is leaving us for a new adventure, there’s beauty to be found in those moments as well. Since Nicky came to learn how much Fay valued their friendship and because… Fay was starting a wonderful new chapter in life.

All of which was the perfect way to remind us… that life is indeed imperfect, even at its worst or its best and that made a for a wholesome and powerful story. One that also featured a bombshell ending, when Anthony asked Fay to be with him only to learn about the move, and it was host to some great comedy as well. Since the search for the wine was epic, Anthony’s panic brought levity, and Sherm’s meeting with a genius, billionaire, jerk-of-a-recluse named Zeb Jenkins… was the stuff of legend. In part because TV legend Mike O’Malley came in and just wowed with his performance as Zeb. But also, because, it was just full of wild and hilarious and quirky moments, the kind that eventually led to a potential new path in life for Sherm. Either way, this was just… another great episode from an amazing series and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this chapter, we are eagerly awaiting the next one. To see what lessons and laughs await us, and to see what comes out of that powerhouse romantic revelation. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There comes a point in our lives, where we realize… we have the wrong people surrounding us and we need to make some changes to our inner circle. It could be because of a specific moment that harms us, or it could because we have quite the epiphany, but one way or another… this moment arrives, and it puts us in a unique place mentally. One where we begin to wonder what it will take to make those changes and how far we will have to go to purge those people from our lives. Which might not be an easy task if they are a partner or someone we’ve known for many years. But for the vast majority of us in this life, we are able to make this happen, for the everyday world is a place that allows for this. But in the underworld, where laws don’t apply, and separation isn’t that easy… it is handled in a vastly different manner.
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For proof, just take a look at this week’s episode of Power Book II: Ghost on STARZ. For ‘No More Second Chances’ is a story that saw Tariq and Monet come to realize a change was necessary when it came to some of the people in their lives. For Tariq, that happened twice over. Once in Italy, where he joined RSJ to finalize a deal for the firm, and while he was there… Noma once again decided to intercede and make demands of Tariq and his friends. This time, to secure intel on her ex and his dealings via a listening device that Mecca planted and that retrieval… went poorly. Since it saw Brayden be captured and badly beaten and it forced Tariq to show his hand and get Noma’s ex killed in the process. Leaving him to realize, it was only going to get worse from there and she would continue to press them, and a change needed to come.

Thankfully, he now has the dirt needed to do that, since he came to learn through Effie that Noma has a daughter. One that is fatherless now, since she was born of Noma and that ex, but a daughter none the less… and that’s a weakness that can be exploited. But while that was fascinating, and relevant, the end of Tariq’s journey in this story, hammered the point home far harder than expected. For Lauren was pushed to her breaking point by Cooper Saxe of all people, and she escaped and informed Tariq of the truth that Brayden and Effie had kept secret from him. Giving rise to pure shock for Tariq, since he could no longer trust Effie or his best friend, leaving him to ponder deeper upon the reality that other changes might need to come into his life. The kind that would absolutely alter his universe from top to bottom. 

However, as mentioned a moment ago, he wasn’t the only one having such epiphanies in this episode. For Monet had one as well. Granted she tried to ignore the reality that Lorenzo killed Zeke, by tossing the file out and by just trying to move on. In fact, she was so hellbent on finding peace, she threw feelers out into the world via Tariq to confirm that she had the right body after all, and well… the unfortunate truth that she didn’t… let her concerns about Lorenzo creep back into her mind. Because now it was apparent, he was involved and she didn’t know what to do about that, or if she could remotely have Lorenzo in her life. Instead, she patiently waited and planned for the worst, in the event she came to realize a change was needed, and eventually… she came to understand she did.
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For one fine day and on the advice of Cane, Lorenzo did what we never thought he could do. He told Monet the truth. In the hopes of course of finding forgiveness and catharsis for a mistake on his part. But instead… he received ire and her decision. In that, a change had to happen, he had to go, and he needed to find a new place to live and a new life to lead. Because he took her baby. But of course, this is the Power Universe, and this is where the real darkness of the episode sunk in. Because anyone else would have had that epiphany and called it a day. But Monet Tejada needed revenge, she needed her baby to rest in proper peace. So, she let her planning come into play, and nudged Gordo toward the truth about who killed his father… and her baby… and that led to the end of Lorenzo Tejada.

All of which made for a powerful episode, one that took the dynamic of this series and flipped it on its head. Because now… nothing is the same for Tariq or Monet and more change is on the way since Tariq will have to deal with the horrifying truth that Lauren sent his way. But while we wait to see what the landscape of this show looks like come next week, we can revel in a story that really did a wonderful job of showing us the different dynamic that exists in the criminal underworld when change is needed and understood. For this is a place where rules don’t apply and where street justice rules the day and it was fascinating to see that process play out and it of course, leaves us eager or more of Tariq’s powerful journey, since the revelations present here will have him pondering upon far deeper changes to his life and the path he is currently walking. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Blindspotting’. To revisit the season one finale, clickhere.
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Television shows that are heading into their second season, sometimes face a grand conundrum. In that, the television landscape is constantly evolving and demanding more from programming. So, the show in its sophomore year can either stay the course of what it stands for or it can try to go bigger in year two and wow folks and draw in more viewers and well… therein lies the quandary. Simply because, going big can sometimes change the landscape of a show and alienate core viewers and staying the course may not be enough to keep audiences intrigued since it is the same old, same old. Which is why for a sophomore season to be successful, the series at hand must find the right balance of both of those elements to really a keep an audience happy.
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One way in which to do that, is through challenging the characters. Simply because they can give us new and fresh concepts to explore while the story stays true to itself and clearly, one series that is going to master this is Blindspotting on STARZ. For the season two premiere of this series… ‘Planes, Trains, and Automobiles’ and ‘Life Is Too Short’, plunged us into back into the Ordeal months after Ashley and Miles tied the knot in ‘Bride or Die’ and informed us in the process… that this series was still going to closely follow the roots and course it set down in season one. In that, it would be about life and all the struggles and wins that life sends our way. 

Which allowed for the audience to celebrate everything we love about this series. Since it once again reminded us of how hard life can be at times and how the wins don’t always feel akin to wins. Simply because life is chaos and poetry in motion. Which the story expressed through Ashley’s more routine ups and downs here and the ups and downs of her friends as they worked to maintain their many relationships and find peace and joy at a time when upheaval surrounded them. And of course, the show made sure to emphasize the symphony that is life, through the incredible dance numbers and montages that the show is known for. All of which properly welcomed us back to this franchise… and made us comfortable enough to begin to up the ante regarding the struggles at hand. 

For this is also a story that expressed the hard stresses that Ashley is now facing. Since not being near her husband and being the conduit for everyone else to get to him, left her in a tough place here. One where the support didn’t matter, there was only sorrow in her mind and a weight upon her chest. Because she was struggling to process Miles’ situation and the loneliness that accompanied it and the lack of memories that this duo was unable to create with Sean. All of which are valid points to explore and hammer home the nature of the system, and it's flaws, and problems, and the show deserves a round of applause for bringing this, and its other powerful observation, to the table. 

Specifically, how going to jail can be a horrendously traumatizing experience for people. For we don’t think about the horrors that could accompany having weapons drawn down upon a person, or the uncomfortable nature of being handcuffed and thrown into a cell, all because they were minutes late on getting home from the very terms they agreed to for parole. Which was expressed through Earl’s storyline here. Since all of that weighed upon him and left him in a difficult mental space as well. One where he struggled often to find his way in the world and the peace a ‘free man’ should enjoy. Which was powerful to watch play out and definitely gives one pause regarding how we treat those that have done their time.

If anything, this really was the perfect premiere. One that really did inform us that the core of this series will never change but it will get bigger, and it will be grander, courtesy of the characters, and the struggles they face and the pain they endure. Giving rise to a season of storytelling that will offer us so much more but feel familiar and beautiful and still put a smile on our faces. Courtesy of moments that remind us that life can also be quite quirky, especially when you transform a phallus shaped piñata into a space rocket but don’t take the junk-shaped candy out of it, and well… it’s just wonderful to have this series back on the air and be part of these incredible lives once again. And most important of all… it is wonderful to be treated to stories that need to be told, about what life is really like in America. Until next time.

Please enjoy this exclusive clip from tonight’s new episode of Life After Lockup on WE tv.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 309 of ‘Star Trek: Picard’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that fans of Star Trek: Picard, and Star Trek in general… have been anxiously awaiting one thing when it comes to the third and final season of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard’s new adventures through the stars. Specifically… answers. For we’ve all been dying to know why Jack Crusher has those unique abilities and we’ve all been eager to learn exactly who is behind the Frontier Day plot and what exactly they have planned for the Federation and Starfleet and well… at long last, the answers came our way. For ‘Võx’ revealed every truth we’ve been waiting for, and well, this episode was definitely a fine reminder that sometimes we must be careful what we wish for. 
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For the story wasted little time in revisiting that mysterious red door and what Deanna Troi discovered was behind it… was outright terrifying. Because it turned out that Jack Crusher was hearing the symphony of the Borg. Courtesy of leftover genetic changes made to Jean-Luc Picard during his time as Locutus of Borg, which was actually why Jean-Luc’s human body expired and well… that made Jack a potential threat and of course… there were more horrors that our heroes came to learn regarding this awful revelation. In that, the Borg made use of the altered DNA present in the Admiral’s body, to create an assimilation code that would embed itself in anyone who went through a transporter in Starfleet. Meaning that a vast majority of younger fleet personnel could easily be altered into a Borg drone if Jack were to come into contact with the Hive, since his gifts basically made him a Borg signal transmitter. 

Not to mention, that horrible reality, combined with the fact that the entirety of Starfleet was at Earth and now connected via a network like technology, painfully similar to what the Borg Collective made use of… pushed Picard and company to get to Earth post haste to try and stop the networking and save the day. But alas, Jack did indeed escape the Titan and found his place with the Borg Queen and Admiral Elizabeth Shelby was eager to show off the new technology via her flagship, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-F, and that… led to complete and utter disaster. Wherein anyone under the age of 25 was indeed assimilated and where the fleet was transformed into a Borg Collective of sorts. Which forced the former crew of the 1701-D to think fast and get the hell off of the Titan before the Borg eliminated them. An escape that proved costly since only the magnificent seven made it off the ship, leaving Raffi and Seven of Nine behind and with the body of the now late Captain Liam Shaw. Who died saving lives when the drones bore down.

So, in order to save the whole of the Federation, this intrepid crew needed a starship that wasn’t linked to the new Starfleet mainframe network and had the resources to figure out a solution to the problem and harbored enough firepower to hang in a firefight as needed, and it just so happened that Geordi had the right ship for the job. No… he had the perfect vessel in mind to save the Federation. For over the course of the past twenty years… he worked to restore a personal favorite, one whose saucer section was rescued from Veridian III to keep the Prime Directive intact, after being hot dropped on the planet. And through his connections as museum curator, Geordi was able to restore the stardrive section of a Galaxy Class starship that meant so much to him and his friends, and just like that… the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D was put back into service and was ready to fight the Borg once again, setting the stage for an epic series finale. One that will see this ship and its crew face off against their greatest foe.

Which is of course, about as epic as it gets and well…. this episode was about as epic as it gets and that’s why we are quickly summarizing the key plot points today, because there are a lot of big moments that we need to unpack in this particular tale. Such as the fact that showrunner Terry Matalas gave us perhaps the highest stakes Star Trek episode to ever grace the franchise. Because while the Borg have indeed tested Starfleet and inflicted great pain and lasting damage upon it via the Battle of Wolf 359 and the Battle of Sector 001, they’ve never once been successful in their goals to assimilate Starfleet and bring the Federation to its knees. But thanks to the Queen’s guile and desire for revenge and domination… and Starfleet’s belief that they were safe from the Borg threat… here we are. Facing the bleakest moment in the franchise’s storied history, one far darker than even the visual of those shattered ships in ‘The Best of Both Worlds, Part II’.
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But while that alone could have carried this episode, especially since the La Forge sisters were part of the assimilation nightmare that played out in this tale, it still had so much more to offer. After all, this was an episode littered to the brim with beautiful Easter Eggs and epic surprises. Such as the on-screen arrival of the NCC-1701-F, a vessel that players of Star Trek Online know quite well, and it was just amazing to finally see a new Enterprise on screen. Plus, it was equally as amazing to see Elizabeth Dennehy return to reprise her role and learn that her ambition never left her, as evidenced by those five Admiralty pips adorning her collar and of course, she wasn’t the only amazing cameo present here. Since it was both incredible and chilling to hear Alice Krige reprise her role as the Borg Queen. Plus, the ship lists and deep dives into the history of the franchise was just a real treat and will undoubtedly prompt multiple rewatches of this episode.

However, let’s be honest… the centerpiece of this tale and the moment that has all of us buzzing today, is the return of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D. For she remains a greatly beloved ship by the fans, one that didn’t quite get the honorable end she deserved. So, to see her here again, and to see this fine crew stand on her bridge, restored to how it appeared on television, complete with Majel Barrett Roddenberry’s voice as the computer, was just incredible. In fact, it was downright tear jerking for this writer. For the 1701-D is/was… my Enterprise. The one I grew up watching, the one that left me in awe every single week for seven wonderful years of my youth. Which made this a special moment for me and for fans of The Next Generation and was perhaps the perfect way to set up this finale. Since her return can properly bring an end to the TNG era and hopefully position this era of the STU and the characters here… to enjoy new voyages to strange new worlds. 

But all sentimental wonder aside, this really was an incredible episode. One that rivaled the majesty of the film franchises that came before it and left us on the edge of our seats. Courtesy of stunning revelations, epic surprises and deep franchise dives and the chilling return of the darkest foe that Jean-Luc Picard and his brave crew ever faced and well… let’s be honest… we will all be counting down the seconds to next week’s series finale. To see how the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise defeats the Borg once more, with minimal resources at hand and with Starfleet under the control of the collective, and to see how this beautiful love letter to The Next Generation will bring proper closure to a crew that truly deserves a wondrous ending to their adventures through the stars. Until next time.  

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eleven of ‘The Ark’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular phrase that remains quite relevant and handy in this day and age is… know thy enemy. Simply because to know the person that wants to harm us can be extremely beneficial to us. Since it allows for us to understand where our tormentor is coming from at a fundamental level and of course… it helps us to understand their weaknesses. For while it is nice to know what makes our nemesis tick, we still have to overcome their plans for us and make them submit along the way so we can enjoy our lives once more and well… this phrase is top of mind today, simply because it served as the focus of the crew of Ark One in the next episode of The Ark on SYFY. For ‘The Last Thing You Ever Do’ picked up immediately after last week’s tale, with Sharon aboard Ark Fifteen, and eager to know her enemy.
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All so the crew of her ship would be safe and so they could escape Maddox’s clutches with Angus in hand and well… Sharon was quick to integrate herself into the crew and that helped her to learn a great deal about this doomsday boat. Such as the fact that the weapon wasn’t something that could be stopped since its materials were so new and so raw that it would likely take extensive research to nullify it. Making the mission to get Angus all the more critical. But this research wasn’t a total loss. Since it did inform the brightest minds on Ark One that Maddox wasn’t smart enough to firewall her systems properly. For they were able to gain access to the ship and learn more about its construction and its systems and… through some digging, Sharon was able to get what appeared to be the formula to the Klampkin’s cure.

However, while Sharon did a learn a lot about her enemy, it is safe to say that her knowledge was quite technical in nature. Which is why Angus’ journey was so critical to this episode. For he came to realize that Kelly’s sociopathic tendencies and demands for loyalty, needed to be fed if he wanted to live and learn about this ship. So, he played along, gained her trust, and came to learn a great deal about her mother and her own sociopathic tendencies and that… Evelyn Maddox was the one suffering from Klampkin’s on this ship. A truth that would be quite powerful and useful in the right hands and that was why… Angus put together quite the plan to escape. One where he gained access to Trust and Lane, and even Sharon after she was captured… and used that trust to knock Kelly out and escape. 

But sadly, not everyone made it back to Ark One. For while Angus and Trust returned to Ark One with Sharon no problem, Lane had to stay behind to ensure their survival, and was happy to do so in order to prove his worth to Sharon. Leaving him in a precarious spot for the moment alongside Brice for that matter as well. Because despite using the technical knowledge they gained to disable the weapon to escape, the crew of Ark One, wasn’t able to use the medical knowledge Sharon brought home to create the cure in question. Leaving Brice’s life in the balance since his health is in decline and that’s important because he matters the world to this crew and to Eva as well, and humanity can ill afford to lose more of their own at this point, since the numbers continue to dwindle. But thankfully, not all hope is lost. 

For now… the odds are even between Ark One and Ark Fifteen without that weapon, and now Sharon will learn that her nemesis has a true weakness that she can exploit. Perhaps to save her ailing first officer. All because she took the time to observe and learn and make use of resources on such matters and that does put her at quite the crossroads. One where she must decide how to handle her foil and maintain her humanity so that the bloodshed can end and the healing can begin, so humanity will survive and that will be no easy call. Since Maddox appears outright mad at this point and eager to cause harm to have what she wants, and that is going to make the wait for next week’s episode excruciating, since we simply must know how this first season is going to end and whether or not mercy can prevail, and if humanity can find its way back from a bloody and horrifying brink. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Single Drunk Female’. To revisit the Season One Finale, click here.
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There is a collective belief in our society, that when a dark chapter in our life comes to an end, nothing but wonderful days are ahead, and it makes sense as to why we hold to this. After all, if we emerge from the darkness, we have done some stunning work to do so, the kind that has indeed improved us and made us ready for battle. So of course… blue skies and brighter days are all that should await us, since we are ready, willing, and able to tackle anything the universe sends our way and well… that’s a belief that is totally and utterly wrong and holding to it causes so much harm and so much trouble for those who commit to it.
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Simply because, life’s hardships don’t end just because we buckled down and improved ourselves, and the world does indeed keep on turning and churning and that presents some new challenges for us to face. The kind that can potentially push us back into old habits if our shining moment was designed to escape them. If anything, such a tough reality is top of mind today, simply because… such matters were put on full display in the season two premiere of Single Drunk Female on Freeform. A feat that ‘Promotion’ and ‘Grant Me Serenity’ accomplished by catapulting us forward, months after the season one finale, wherein we were able to see that Sam had settled into her new life as someone that embraced sobriety, and that she truly had started to put the pieces back together in her life.

After all, she had a steady job writing once again, she was telling her story to others to continue the healing process and she was also… settling into the first element we don’t discuss when we truly enter that new chapter in our lives… routine. Where there are down moments and mundane ones to boot, the kind that perhaps someone suffering from addiction would remove themselves from by using substances. Not to mention… there was an adjustment period that Sam was dealing with. Since it had been a long time since she was accepted by others and seen as someone average instead of a drunk and that too takes time to become accustomed to and effort as well. Since it put her out of her comfort zone. All of which made it clear that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows when we heal, and we will indeed battle a bit to adjust to that.

But of course, there was mention of these episodes bringing forth life challenges and other problems to come that are glossed over in our minds and in stories in this vein, and well… it didn’t take long for Sam to find herself oft reminded of her darker days via James. Who remained a polar opposite of Sam by continuing to drink and toy with sobriety and heck, Sam even had to deal with her old boss once again, as her new boss. For Nathaniel took over at her workplace and embarrassed her and that challenged her deeply. For there was a part of her that expected the past to stay there. But the universe loves to bring forth moments where must find resolution and that was really the point of this twist, and eventually… Sam found peace in this new normal.
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However, where this episode set truly shined, was in making it clear that nothing lasts forever and the bubble we build for ourselves, the one that we truly hope will be maintained in that storybook lie we tell ourselves, will eventually burst whether we like it or not. Which was handled by way of the revelation that Olivia sent Sam’s way. In that, with a baby on the way, the time had come for Samantha’s rock, her sponsor, to let Samantha fly and grow on her own. A revelation that terrified Samantha to no end. Because there was reliance and safety there. But truly, that hammered home… that life goes on when we recover, and we do indeed face a bevy of new challenges when we enter our new chapter, and they won’t be easy, and they will test and hurt us and leave us wondering if we can in fact... continue on our new path in a healthy manner.

Which sets the stage, for a powerful second season of storytelling. One that will potentially push Sam to her limits and even her breaking point since these are still fragile days for her and kudos to this series for taking the time to point out all of these lessons and shatter the trope that life is peachy when we hold our heads high. Because that’s just not the case and that kind of honesty is needed. Plus, this episode set also deserves a round of applause for showing us how hard it is to start over in relationships or maintain them when we make changes to our lives. Something put forth by all of Sam’s friends, with Sasha’s journey being of note since she is struggling to reconcile the failure of her marriage and well, all of these elements make us happy and eager for more. Because at long last, a supremely brilliant and powerful series is back on the air and we can now learn all kinds of life lessons alongside Samantha Fink, as year two of this brilliant saga continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 307 of ‘The Mandalorian’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We like to believe that when we wish to bury the hatchet regarding old ghosts and bring people back together in doing so, that it will be a simple act. After all, good should trump all things, and great intentions should inspire, ergo… easy reunions and reconciliation. But alas, that hope is nothing more than a pipe dream. For we often forget that old wounds run deep when people separate for negative reasons and bitter blood oft remains. Making a reunion quite the exhaustive event in reality, as evidenced by the next episode of The Mandalorian on Disney+. An exploration that ‘Chapter 23: The Spies’ took part in… by bringing the old guard and the new guard together on Nevarro.
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For Bo-Katan’s mercenary friends reunited with the Covert on that world and well, the situation was tense. For those reasons outlined above, and Bo-Katan thought the best way to get around that bad blood… was to return to Mandalore post-haste and explore what it might take to revitalize a broken world and that too… proved to be difficult. Courtesy of infighting and old haunts that required more level minds to quell. Leaving all of us to wonder if by chance, it would be a long and painful road ahead for Mandalore, one that might take generations of rebuilding to bring forth unity and harmony. But alas… if there is one quick way to unite a people, it is a disaster and a common foe and that… made itself known in this tale.

Because while the good souls of Mandalore struggled to come together, beneath that world’s shattered crust was something quite horrifying. Specifically, Moff Gideon and the Imperial Remnant. For Gideon set up shop on this barren world for nefarious purposes. Such as planning for the future via a series of scenes that implied that much of the future of the galaxy will be set in motion on Mandalore. Since tanks of clones and experiments were in this place, ones that will likely give birth to Supreme Leader Snoke and the revitalized Emperor Palpatine. Not to mention, this was also a place where Gideon planned with other commanders from the Empire, including a man named Hux, who will likely find his way into the upper echelons of the First Order when it too arrives. 

But what mattered more here was that upon arriving at the Great Forge, our intrepid heroes, and the broken people they wanted to fix, found what they needed to unify by running into Gideon’s forces. A battle that proved quite costly. For the wily Moff managed to fuse Stormtrooper Armor with Beskar based plating. Not to mention, he himself was in a far more superior place as a warrior and used his might and the might of his forces, to bring down Paz Visla and even capture Din Djarin. Setting the stage for a grand fight for Mandalore, one that will require unity amongst its people and a resolve they’ve yet to find, after they of course… mourn for the dead. Since Paz was a tough loss here, especially when one considers how heroically he met his end.

When all is said and done however, this was… quite the incredible episode. One that really did lay down the groundwork for the dark future that Rey Skywalker and the Resistance will face when the First Order emerges from the shadows, with Palpatine pulling the strings, and it also set the stage for a powerhouse season three finale. Because the situation has never been this grim for our heroes, and it will take some serious fighting to save Din Djarin and cast the Imperial Remnant out, and it will be interesting to see if our heroes can or if season three of this storied saga, is going to end on a shocking note. One that will leave us in a worrisome and uncomfortable place when the dust settles from the battle ahead. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Ted Lasso’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular phrase that comes up often when dark or tough times arrive in our lives… is… ‘when it rains, it pours’ and it makes sense as to why. Because ugly days really do seem to come in gusts, and they feel akin to forces of nature, and we have plenty of personal and external stories to back up a maelstrom of melancholy. Since some of us have dealt with or heard about multiple family members passing away in a very short period of time. Or there’s experiences and stories revolving around a series of bad moments that break a person emotionally because of how difficult and brutal they turn out to be, and this phrase and this notion holds so much weight, that it is important we point out that we apply it to every ugly stretch in our lives… and we shouldn’t.
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Because while those types of scenarios do indeed happen and are absolutely related to the chaos that is fate… a lot of the stuff that happens in between, is our own fault. For we have a tendency to get into the mindset that the sky is falling, and that there is nothing that we can do but ride the storm. But there is in fact, plenty we can do, because we also sometimes… propagate the problem by thinking in that manner. So perhaps pulling up our bootstraps and confronting the problem at hand can do wonders for us, as can changing our mindset, since that can contribute to a great deal of where our path goes and what that looks like is top of mind today, since it served as the focus of the next episode of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. A feat that ‘Signs’ accomplished, by plunging us into a world where everyone was struggling with tough times.

Rebecca for instance, was haunted by what the psychic told her and what her fate might look like, and it was interfering with her daily duties and that prompted her… to confront her concerns and disprove the psychic to clear her head and focus, and her journey was perhaps the most straightforward regarding this. Since she went for it and got the answers she needed and lamented, since the search confirmed that she was in fact… unable to have to have children. Which rightfully rattled her since everyone ponders upon their future as a parent. But her decisions here, made it clear, that sometimes the only way out is to stand tall and confront what eats at us and her journey was only the beginning in this tale.

Since surprisingly Nate’s journey in this story took the time to point out that being negative all the time can lead to difficult moments in life, the kind that force us… to take a step back and gain perspective as to who we are and what we do. Which Nate did here by way of a rotten date and a better evening with his favorite hostess, Jade. All of which set the stage for some inner reflection for Nate, the kind that might finally help him figure out what kind of man and manager he actually needs to be instead of wants to be in order to please the always annoying Rupert, and it was healthy to see someone that can be considered as the heavy, work that out and express the importance of self-reflection and its benefits and how negative thinking does create our own little personal hell. But of course, with so much going on this season, there was more to explore regarding this concept.

For Keeley’s journey here spoke volumes to how our own actions propagate our problems now and again and that the only way to be rid of them, is to handle them. An exploration brought forth by Shandy no less. Since she uh… decided to be her own boss on KJPR’s payroll and in doing so, started to lose the company, clients. Which meant, that Keeley was left with no choice but to handle business accordingly and she finally and mercifully, fired Shandy. A move that of course brought backlash. But more importantly, she did the right thing, handled a problem she created and found peace for it and… a romantic fling. Since she and Jack spent some time together here and came to learn they shared a magnetic attraction. A bonus lesson, that speaks to how sometimes in matters of heartbreak, shooting for the stars and just following our heart in the moment, can help that ache or find us who we’ve been longing for.
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However, amidst all of that… AFC Richmond was dealing with its own problems. For the loss to West Ham put the team in a downward spiral, one so rough that Higgins brought up the possibility of a managerial change. A move that shocked Rebecca… but things were indeed that bad. For the team couldn’t find the goal, and they were playing awful through and through and even Zava was no longer contributing as he once was. Not to mention, Ted felt lost. Because there were more problems at home with his son, due to a bullying incident that Henry instigated, and Ted’s worries about being a good father put him in a dark place, and to top it all off, eventually Zava just decided he no longer wanted to play the game and just retired before an important match against Man City and left his team high and dry.

Which meant that AFC Richmond was in a tailspin, and it seemed as though the old saying was true. But it wasn’t. For this was where the story hammered home how we get in our way mentally during tough times and how a changing of mindsets might be the key. Because this whole team saw themselves as cursed failures somehow and the coaches had lost confidence. But since Ted found his center and realized that he was on a negative path of thinking that was influencing others and his fate… he was able to snap out of that mindset… and snap others out of it as well. Courtesy of a rousing speech that prompted the team to forget about Zava, forget about their troubles and focus on the next play and the next moment, changing mindsets, resetting this team, and perhaps finally putting an end to the dark times that so many have been suffering from for a few weeks now. 

All of which, made for a brilliant episode. One that taught us a great deal about our minds and our thought patterns and what really keeps tough times persisting and that led to some beautiful moments, some fascinating commentary, and another story that we could not get enough of. Because these characters mean the world to us, and we want nothing more than to see them succeed in life and find the peace and joy they desire and deserve, and this is a big step forward toward that and clearly, some big changes are on the horizon for the team and the people that support them. Since the heavy still has a heart and Keeley is on a powerful journey of self-discovery and Ted… is slowly finding a new voice and a new direction, and that will make the wait for next week’s tale quite difficult, since we are eager to see where this season is headed with the darkness beginning to lift. Until next time.